Just been shooting my FAC Pro Elite...

[Barryg]

I also had an early Beeman R1(HW80) at the time. The HW does not compare and feels flimsy and cheap next to the PE.

LOL the HW80 Flimsy, I can agree that the AA bluing looks more expansive if if that is what you mean by cheap but just trying think where the 80 is flimsy next to the PE, it cant be the end block as that would be more robust if abused by over tightening a mount, that only leaves the breech area and I'm not sure how anyone could call that flimsy
A nice custom 80 would compare with a PE but the PE already looks like a custom job and it's the only gun I still won't but only if I can find one that has not been messed with

[Shed tuner]

the PE breech block and jaws are very substantial.. I don't have an 80 to hand, but I'm pretty sure the PE setup is beefier. But there's really nothing wrong with the 80 - they are not flimsy, I agree - so the PE is probably over-engineered.

[les allam]

After having a Hw80 and hw98 glided by V-Mach they also had the breech shims done as part of the conversion.A worth while upgrade.
When having the same conversion on my P/e Steve pope said it was unnecessary for a breech shim modification due to the gun being so over engineered in that area.
Les..

[Weasle]

After having a Hw80 and hw98 glided by V-Mach they also had the breech shims done as part of the conversion.A worth while upgrade.
When having the same conversion on my P/e Steve pope said it was unnecessary for a breech shim modification due to the gun being so over engineered in that area.
Les..

Hi Les
It already has substantial shims fitted....the breach, as you will know, closes like a safe door...
Cheers Steve

[Shed tuner]

Hi Les
It already has substantial shims fitted....the breach, as you will know, closes like a safe door...
Cheers Steve

they are more like top hats - very solid, for sure...

[jonnyone]

they are more like top hats - very solid, for sure...

They are indeed very solid but unfortunately also very unobtainable these days with chambers having off listed them this long time.
I'm not an engineering type but the shim set up on these guns seems quite a well thought out set up. The whole system is very closely fitted, with (it seems to me) some space behind to put some moly lube to keep everything working well. Larger breech bolt set up than the 80 and it seems to me that the shim is allowed to rotated within its space in the breech block creating a low friction set up (unless I have that completely wrong)? Most other break barrel designs impart quite high stress and friction (and potential for wear) around the breech bolt so I think this is a clever design to try an ensure consistent lock up and longer term accuracy.
I can well believe AA citing high production costs v slim profit margins on the gun. A great shame as the whole gun puts many other makes in the shade. Perhaps there was a limit to how much we the airgunning public are prepared to pay for a well engineered gun. They should perhaps have sold the gun from the outset at a higher mark up? Looking at the current price of the TX and PS they seem to have learned from this. And look at what the latest FWB Sport costs? Reality is that quality costs.
I certainly wouldn't knock the HW80. It's a solid gun and I own several including a highly modified version. The sales of the gun and it's longevity speak for itself. However on an engineering angle and quality of finish the PE blows it away.
All this talk makes me want to dig out one of mine and give it a session on the greys.
Dave

[Barryg]

they are more like top hats - very solid, for sure...

Do those top hats hold in the barrel catch ? also how do you think that the PE's hinge setup compares with Diana's roll pin is it even better.

[FPoole]

Do those top hats hold in the barrel catch ? also how do you think that the PE's hinge setup compares with Diana's roll pin is it even better.

They were a press fit in the breech block. I used to have several sets of spares, but I sold them on with my .177 PE. Yes, I sold my PE's but only because I don't really like break barrel guns after owning so many TX's.

[FPoole]

LOL the HW80 Flimsy, I can agree that the AA bluing looks more expansive if if that is what you mean by cheap but just trying think where the 80 is flimsy next to the PE, it cant be the end block as that would be more robust if abused by over tightening a mount, that only leaves the breech area and I'm not sure how anyone could call that flimsy
A nice custom 80 would compare with a PE but the PE already looks like a custom job and it's the only gun I still won't but only if I can find one that has not been messed with

I always felt the 80 flexing as I popped the barrel back into the detent. Felt sort of springy, for lack of a better description. and those tiny little shims and the scoring on the breech block. The factory guide was a joke at best. The cocking link always jingled about from new and the piston stem is thinner than the AA guns. That lump of metal that screws into the receiver is the heaviest part of an HW and serves no strength purpose, but it does help the guns not feel as front heavy. The AA receiver is plenty strong enough to handle any amount of mount tightening and it's always in line from end to end unlike the HW unit which always goes a little past after the first time you open it up, easy to fix, but it still does it.. I had my 80 for 20 years or so and I liked it just fine, but the PE is a step up the quality ladder. My 80 and a $100 bill helped me get a fabulous deal on a Mark1 TX200. Now that is a gun built to last. The PE also had the same trigger unit as the TX's and it is better than the Rekord, this is fact not just my opinion and anyone who says different is simply wrong. They also don't know how to, easily and simply, adjust the CD. One thing the PE needed was the 80's open sights.

[charub]

I always felt the 80 flexing as I popped the barrel back into the detent. Felt sort of springy, for lack of a better description. and those tiny little shims and the scoring on the breech block. The factory guide was a joke at best. The cocking link always jingled about from new and the piston stem is thinner than the AA guns. That lump of metal that screws into the receiver is the heaviest part of an HW and serves no strength purpose, but it does help the guns not feel as front heavy. The AA receiver is plenty strong enough to handle any amount of mount tightening and it's always in line from end to end unlike the HW unit which always goes a little past after the first time you open it up, easy to fix, but it still does it.. I had my 80 for 20 years or so and I liked it just fine, but the PE is a step up the quality ladder. My 80 and a $100 bill helped me get a fabulous deal on a Mark1 TX200. Now that is a gun built to last. The PE also had the same trigger unit as the TX's and it is better than the Rekord, this is fact not just my opinion and anyone who says different is simply wrong. They also don't know how to, easily and simply, adjust the CD. One thing the PE needed was the 80's open sights.

I actually once owned a PE with factory open sights! Never seen another.

[Geezer]

I actually once owned a PE with factory open sights! Never seen another.

https://www.airarmsanorak.co.uk/air-arms-pro-elite

See the initial AGW review - open sights, but a suggestion they wouldn’t continue into full production (which they didn’t).

[charub]

https://www.airarmsanorak.co.uk/air-arms-pro-elite

See the initial AGW review - open sights, but a suggestion they wouldn’t continue into full production (which they didn’t).

Not sure how I came by mine then??

[Weasle]

Not sure how I came by mine then??

Maybe it was a preproduction rifle Dave?
Cheers Steve

[charub]

Hi Steve, yes quite possibly.
Admittedly, it didn’t have the sights on it when I bought it, just the witness marks of where they had been.
The shroud had a tapped hole for the front sight and one of the arrestor pin holes was also tapped.
I managed to chase down a set of sights from the helpful guys at the AA factory.

Also, if you look on the chambers website, the diagram shows a model with open sights.

[FPoole]

I actually once owned a PE with factory open sights! Never seen another.

Only seen them in pictures.